Need to Reduce Fuel Consumption of Ships Drives Demand for Marine Coatings, Says Frost & Sullivan

-- Stringent environmental regulations to boost appeal of high-value, eco-friendly coatings

LONDON, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The global marine coatings industry is poised to sail forward on the growing demand for reduced fuel consumption in cargo and cruise ships. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations are boosting the prospects of high-value, eco-friendly coatings. Innovation has been the only constant, with all companies striving to offer eco-friendly products.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://chemicals.frost.com), Strategic Analysis of the Global Market for Marine Coatings, finds that the market earned revenues of $5,030.1 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach $10,216.3 million in 2018. The research covers anti-corrosive, anti-fouling and foul-release coatings.

"The need to lower fuel consumption is a strong market driver and antifouling coatings applied to ships' hulls offer one way to combat emissions and reduce fuel consumption," explained Frost & Sullivan Research Director Dr Leonidas Dokos. "Foul-release technology, which also results in substantial fuel savings, is particularly useful for large cargo ships, which consume a lot of fuel."

Marine coatings manufacturers are generally conservative in adopting new practices. However, increasingly stringent environmental legislation, paralleled by customer preference for more eco-friendly products, is pushing innovation in the market.

"Companies are investing in developing eco-friendly products such as metal-free, anti-fouling coatings," noted Dokos. "Most major participants now offer silicone- or fluororesin-based foul-release products."

While these are positive winds for the market, it is not expected to be all smooth sailing. Participants will have to contend with two major challenges; projected declines in shipbuilding production and the consolidation of shipping management companies.

Until the beginning of 2014, new ship building activities are expected to fall. This will lead to declining volume demands in the near-term. Consolidation of the shipping management companies will increase their buying power, while placing additional pressure on marine coatings prices.

"Aggressive marketing, improved customer service – as sales are mostly direct – high performance products and strategic alliances in regions like China will help improve market share," advised Dokos. "As the market is dominated by a few large companies and barriers to entry are high, smaller companies should focus on offering differentiated products and superior customer service."

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail with your contact details to Chiara Carella, Corporate Communications, at chiara.carella@frost.com.

Strategic Analysis of the Global Market for Marine Coatings is part of the Chemicals & Materials Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following areas: Paint and Coatings Market, Intumescent Coatings Market, Chinese Automotive Coatings Market and Decorative Coating Companies in Asia Pacific. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Strategic Analysis of the Global Market for Marine Coatings

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Contact:
Chiara Carella
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +44 (0) 20 7343 8314
M: +44 (0) 753 3017689
E: chiara.carella@frost.com
http://www.frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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